Ricks Essential Roasted Tomatillo Chipotle Salsa Food

RICK'S ESSENTIAL ROASTED TOMATILLO-CHIPOTLE SALSA

Steps:

• Set an ungreased griddle or heavy skillet over medium heat. If using dried chiles, break off their stems. Toast the chiles a few at a time. Set them on the hot surface, press flat for a few seconds with a metal spatula (they'll crackle faintly and release their smoky aroma), then flip, and press down to toast the other side. Transfer the toasted chiles to a bowl, cover with hot water, and let rehydrate for 30 minutes, stirring regularly to ensure even soaking. Pour off all the water, and discard. If using canned chiles, simply remove them from the adobo sauce in which they are packed.
• On a heavy, ungreased skillet or griddle over medium heat, roast the unpeeled garlic, turning occasionally, until blackened in spots and soft, about 15 minutes. Cool, slip off the papery skins, and chop roughly.
• Preheat the broiler. Place the tomatillos on a baking sheet, and place in broiler about 4 inches from heat. When, after about 5 minutes, the tomatillos have blistered, blackened, and softened on one side, turn them over, and roast on the other side. Cool completely on the baking sheet.
• Scrape the tomatillos (and any juices that have accumulated around them) into a molcajete, food processor, or blender, and add the rehydrated or canned chiles and garlic. Combine until everything is thick and relatively smooth. For a chunkier alternative, scrape the tomatillos and juices into a molcajete, food processor, or blender, and add the garlic. Combine until everything is coarsely pureed. Chop the chiles into tiny bits, then stir them into the tomatillo mixture. Transfer salsa to a serving bowl, and add enough water to give the salsa an easily spoonable consistency, about 3 to 4 tablespoons. Season with salt, and add sugar if you want to soften its tangy edge.

RICK'S TACOS WITH GARLICKY MEXICAN GREENS

Steps:

• Warm the tortillas: Place a vegetable steamer in a large saucepan filled with 1/2 inch of water. Bring to a boil. Wrap tortillas in a heavy kitchen towel, lay them in the steamer, and cover with a tight lid. Boil 1 minute, turn off the heat, and let stand without opening for about 15 minutes.
• Prepare the filling: While tortillas are steaming, bring 3 quarts salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add greens, and cook until barely tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain in a colander, and spread out on a large plate or baking sheet to cool. When cool enough to handle, roughly chop.
• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add garlic, stir for 1 minute, then add greens, and stir for about 1 minute, just long enough to heat them through. Season with salt.
• Prepare the tacos: Scoop the filling into a deep, warm serving dish, and sprinkle with cheese. Serve with the warm tortillas, salsa, and cilantro sprigs.

TOMATILLO CHIPOTLE SALSA

Steps:

• Husk and rinse the tomatillos, cutting out the stems.
• Roast the tomatillos in the oven at 400F for 10-20 minutes or until they start to turn army green in color and wrinkle up.
• De-stem and de-seed two chipotles in adobo.
• Add the roasted tomatillos, 2 peeled garlic cloves, and a single chipotle to a blender and pulse blend.
• Take a taste for heat level. If you want more heat add more chipotle.
• If you want a thinner salsa you can add 2-3 Tablespoons of water or a sliver of onion.
• Serve immediately and store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

ROASTED CHIPOTLE SALSA

Steps:

• Place a comal or a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat; do not oil. Place garlic, onion, and tomato (all with their skins) in pan and roast, turning, as needed, with tongs, until blistered and charred all over. Let vegetables cool slightly, then peel off skins.
• In a blender, combine vegetables with chipotle chile and cilantro leaves. Whirl until coarsely pureed. (If using a mortar and pestle, finely chop cilantro leaves with cooked, peeled onion and garlic. Mash tomatoes and chipotle in mortar, then stir in chopped vegetables and cilantro). Squeeze lime juice into salsa, then stir in oil. Taste, season with salt, and serve. Can be made ahead, covered, and refrigerated up to 3 days.